melensdad
Well-Known Member
FIRST, I don't want to start a fight or argue with anyone
SECOND, its just an observation we have all experienced
THIRD, I do not believe there should be laws forcing you to wear helmets, gear, etc
SO, late last evening, well past sunset, I was out on a rural highway heading home from the fencing club where I coach and do armory work. I was approaching a rural intersection with a stoplight where a rural US highway crosses a state highway. Coming up fast behind me, in the darkness of the night, was another motorcycle with its headlamp on bright.
I stopped at the redlight, 1 car in front of me. 2 cars in the left lane. The motorcycle behind those 2 cars, so he was stopped and positioned over my left shoulder. I knew he was there ONLY because I saw him in my left mirror. Light turned green and the slow car in my lane held up traffic but the 2 in the left lane moved forward at faster than the turtle pace. And so went the motorcycle, which turned out to be some sort of Harley.
I had not heard it while it was behind me. But at my side I heard it. And as it sped forward I noticed 2 things. One, he had minimal lights and two, he had a very loud exhaust.
Honestly he was close to a mile away before I could no longer hear his exhaust. But when he was only 1 car length behind me I didn't hear him at the stoplight. I also noticed his lights did NOT include the mandatory license plate lamp, or any turn signals, at least no visible turn signals. Just a fairly dim running/brake light centered on the rear fender.
In contrast there is my bike, with aux LED conspicuity lights on the front. On the rear is a combination Stop/Running/Turn license plate frame with white lights that also light the license plate. Plus additional Running/Turn lights added to my side panniers. All in addition to the factory LED lights.
Basic summary:
SECOND, its just an observation we have all experienced
THIRD, I do not believe there should be laws forcing you to wear helmets, gear, etc
SO, late last evening, well past sunset, I was out on a rural highway heading home from the fencing club where I coach and do armory work. I was approaching a rural intersection with a stoplight where a rural US highway crosses a state highway. Coming up fast behind me, in the darkness of the night, was another motorcycle with its headlamp on bright.
I stopped at the redlight, 1 car in front of me. 2 cars in the left lane. The motorcycle behind those 2 cars, so he was stopped and positioned over my left shoulder. I knew he was there ONLY because I saw him in my left mirror. Light turned green and the slow car in my lane held up traffic but the 2 in the left lane moved forward at faster than the turtle pace. And so went the motorcycle, which turned out to be some sort of Harley.
I had not heard it while it was behind me. But at my side I heard it. And as it sped forward I noticed 2 things. One, he had minimal lights and two, he had a very loud exhaust.
Honestly he was close to a mile away before I could no longer hear his exhaust. But when he was only 1 car length behind me I didn't hear him at the stoplight. I also noticed his lights did NOT include the mandatory license plate lamp, or any turn signals, at least no visible turn signals. Just a fairly dim running/brake light centered on the rear fender.
In contrast there is my bike, with aux LED conspicuity lights on the front. On the rear is a combination Stop/Running/Turn license plate frame with white lights that also light the license plate. Plus additional Running/Turn lights added to my side panniers. All in addition to the factory LED lights.
Basic summary:
- His bike is stealth bike at night, mine is lit up like a Christmas Tree.
- His bike is loud from behind but virtually silent if you are in front of it (Doppler Effect), mine is stock Honda quiet from any direction.
- He had blue jeans and a t-shirt, no helmet. I was a fully encased 'bubble boy' in CE Level 2 gear + Snell certified full face helmet
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